The Androids were at a loss.
One moment, they had been cruising down a mountain road in a stolen truck, focused on their shared objective of terminating Son Goku. The next, a hole had torn open in the fabric of space directly in their path, swallowing them whole. It was a situation that defied even their advanced logic.
Yet, despite their confusion, they remained composed. The Androids—particularly *17*—possessed an absolute confidence in their own supremacy. Unlike other models, 17 and 18 were equipped with permanent energy reactors. Their power was infinite, never flagging and never fading.
That power had been so immense that even their creator, Dr. Gero, had been unable to handle them and was forced to seal them away. Gero had considered lowering their power or forcibly overwriting their personalities. He had only been forced to seal them because they retained the memories and personalities of the humans they had once been. He believed that erasing those memories and installing a new, loyal persona would make them obedient tools.
Had he done so, they might have become the mindless, cruel demons Gero desired. Perhaps in a world without Son Goku, he would have made that compromise—choosing obedience over raw output. But Gero's hatred for Goku was his undoing; he craved their full power too much to risk tampering with it. As a result, 17 and 18 possessed god-like strength paired with the free-spirited nature of their human years. It was a pathetic irony that this very choice led to Gero's death.
Consequently, 17 viewed this unexpected detour as nothing more than a game. With a defiant smirk, he stepped out of the truck, followed by 18 and 16. *Android 18*, his twin sister, was equally unconcerned, unable to fathom the concept of defeat.
Only *Android 16* was different. Usually the quietest and most inscrutable of the trio, his expression was now uncharacteristically grim.
"Well, well," 17 mused, looking at the figure waiting for them. "Another big player shows up. I didn't see anything about you in the files. 18, did Gero have info on this guy?"
"No, nothing," 18 replied, eyes narrowing. "Earth is supposed to have demons and monsters; I guess he's one of those."
The creature standing before them was a monster in form, but possessed an undeniable air of refinement. His features were elegant, almost beautiful, yet his silhouette was insect-like, reminiscent of a cicada. He stood with his arms crossed, his face mirroring 17's own cool confidence. He, too, was a being who did not recognize the possibility of failure.
"Are you the one who brought us here?" 17 asked, surveying his surroundings.
They stood on a desolate wasteland. Ruined buildings and the scent of a dead civilization lingered in the air. Had the Androids possessed Frieza's records, they might have recognized the architecture as being similar to the tyrant's starships.
"This is Planet Litt," the creature answered. "It was once home to the Litt-folk, subordinates of Frieza, until Vegeta wiped them out four years ago. It is an empty world. We can fight here without worrying about collateral damage."
"I see. A good choice," 17 said. "I'm not fond of breaking nature or cities for no reason."
17 took his stance, certain of his victory. The creature—*Cell*—remained still, waiting. But before 17 could strike, 16 stepped between them.
"Stop, 17. You must not fight him."
"Ah, 16... I forgot you have a built-in power radar," Cell noted. "Then you already understand the absolute chasm between my power and yours."
16 remained silent. His silence was an admission. He could see Cell's power level, and his internal processors had reached a single, terrifying conclusion: There is no chance of victory. From the moment they met, 16 knew this was a monster that should never be engaged.
"Who are you?" 17 demanded. "One of Goku's friends?"
"Not quite. I am an ally of the God of Earth. She desires Son Goku's survival, and so I have come to eliminate those who hunt him."
17 let out a sharp, derisive laugh. "Hah! The God of Earth? Gero's data mentioned her. It's a joke that a 'God' would keep a pet monster like you. Based on the reports, that God is nothing more than a little girl—"
"17, stop! Do not provoke him!" 16 shouted, sensing the immediate shift in the atmosphere.
But he was too slow. Before the insult could fully leave 17's lips, Cell was standing directly in front of him, his hand clamped around 17's wrist.
"Eh?"
17's mind momentarily stalled. Cell's face had transformed from a relaxed smirk into a mask of cold, focused neutrality. The sudden shift was so jarring that 17 found himself unable to speak. Only Cell's voice, devoid of emotion, reached his ears.
"I will not tolerate insults toward her."
Cell delivered a single body blow.
It was a simple punch, but the sheer weight of it told 17 everything he needed to know. This guy... he's a nightmare! What is this power!? 17's knees buckled. He collapsed into the dirt, unable to even draw breath. He couldn't stand; he could only focus on remaining conscious.
"17? Stop playing around," 18 said, confused.
"He isn't playing," 16 corrected her instantly. "That man's power is beyond calculation."
Cell leveled his palm at the kneeling 17, preparing to end it. 16 lunged forward, throwing a heavy punch into the side of Cell's head.
The blow connected. Cell didn't even move. He was completely unfazed.
"Out of my way."
"!"
Cell fired a point-blank ki blast that obliterated half of 16's face. To Cell, it was like swatting a fly; to 16, it was a mortal wound. Fortunately, as a fully mechanical model, 16 didn't "die," but his combat capabilities were effectively neutralized.
"Stay down. Unlike these two, you are an Android who chose humanity over destruction. If you remain still, I will spare you."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, 18 charged at Cell. He flicked his hand with a casual motion; the resulting wind pressure alone sent her tumbling backward. He hadn't even touched her.
"Gah...!"
"Be patient," Cell said. "Your turn is next."
Having effortlessly dismantled 16 and 18, Cell turned back to 17. To him, they weren't even a warm-up. The real battles were the ones to come—the Metal Coolers, the Brolys. He didn't want any lingering threats behind him.
He prepared to fire a final blast, but a rift in space opened between him and his target, swallowing the energy whole.
"This is...!"
In response to Cell's surprise, the rift widened. A brilliant white light spilled out, and the God of Earth stepped onto the sands of Planet Litt.
She was silent, but her body radiated a faint, shimmering aura of white particles. It was the visual sign of her *Burst Limit* being pushed to a high frequency. She was in full combat mode. Two orbiting spheres of light circled her in an X-pattern, ready for immediate interception.
She had her white wings unfurled. It was clear she didn't trust Cell in the slightest. She was ready for him to strike at any moment, and she wasn't bothering to hide her suspicion.
Cell watched her, and for the first time, a look of genuine, complicated emotion crossed his face. To see her like this—standing, eyes open, and full of life—was a stark contrast to the mother he had known, who never woke from her slumber. He offered a pained smile.
"So, you found us already. I should have expected as much. But why interfere? These Androids are your enemies. In my timeline, they destroyed cities for sport. Compared to what's coming, they're minor threats, but there's no harm in cleaning them up now."
"They might have been monsters in your time, Cell, but they aren't here," Lisette countered. "They haven't killed anyone. They haven't destroyed anything. ...Well, except for a truck they stole."
"There is no guarantee they will stay that way."
Lisette faltered at the logic. She glanced at the fallen 17. Cell immediately saw through her. He realized she was timing a jump—waiting for an opening to use *Heavens Gate* and spirit them away. Against any other foe, it might have worked. But Cell was built from her DNA. He knew her tricks before she even performed them.
However, Cell decided to yield. Opposing her now served no purpose.
"Very well. I have no desire to make an enemy of you for the sake of these trash. If you wish to take them, then take them. I will honor your judgment. But if they ever betray your trust, I will be the one to end them."
"I appreciate your cooperation," Lisette said, though her guard didn't drop. "Honestly... you being this reasonable is almost more terrifying than if you were a mindless monster."
"Hahaha. It seems I am under heavy suspicion. Is that because of your 'Knowledge'?"
Lisette's eyes widened in shock. Cell's laugh was soft and knowing.
"I see. So, 'I' really did tell you everything?" she whispered.
"The 'you' of the future was quite lonely, Stepmother," Cell said, his tone softening. "The weight of the world was on your shoulders, and you had no one to share it with. You needed to talk, even if it was to a monster in a tank. You shouldn't blame your future self. Those moments made you the mother I loved."
Lisette felt a surge of frustration toward her future self. What was I thinking, venting to a Bio-Android? Cell kicked 17 toward her like a discarded toy. "I'm leaving for now. We will meet again."
"What do you intend to do?"
"I'll hide for a while. Humans tend to scream when they see me. But I promise you: if Earth or you are ever in true danger, I will be there."
Cell opened a subspace rift and vanished, his ki disappearing instantly.
Lisette surveyed the ruined landscape of Planet Litt. She opened her own Gate. She needed to move the Androids somewhere separate from Goku. The Sanctuary was off-limits; bringing them there would only spark a second battle.
Maybe I'll build them a house in a remote area, she thought. And I need to get 16 to Capsule Corp for repairs. Having half a face missing is a bit too gruesome, even if he is still functional.
With a sigh, Lisette gathered the unconscious Androids and warped back to Earth.
***
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